Page 141 of Her Males

He sounds hurt, and Aziel seems to recognize the pain, too, as he releases me and steps toward Gray. Aziel cups Gray’s cheeks and runs his thumbs over his cheekbones before leaning in and kissing him.

Gray immediately moans and sinks into the hold, and I can’t help but stare as Aziel tilts his head to the side and takes charge of the kiss. Gray lets him, his eyelids fluttering shut as he succumbs to the desires of the stronger demon.

“I’m yours, Gray,” Aziel promises, pulling away. “And I want you just as much as I want Charlie and Silas.”

I lean against Aziel’s desk as Gray ducks, his cheeks red. It’s nice seeing Aziel comfort him like this after all the arguing they’ve done since I was purchased. I’m not sure what happened between the three of them while I was gone, but whatever it is, I’m happy about it.

Gray’s flourishing under all the attention, and Aziel is less irritable.

Silas is acting more unhinged than usual, but I think much of his stress comes from the library mess. He spends all day trying to organize it, and I’ve heard whispers from Aziel that he’s getting behind on his work.

Gray reaches up and trails his fingers along the mark I left on Aziel’s neck. I wasn’t thinking when I bit Aziel, and I had no idea I was stealing the spot Gray had claimed. Nobody’s outwardly said anything to me about it, but I can tell it made Gray upset.

Aziel doesn’t seem to care, but he’s not sentimental.

“You want me more,” Gray decides.

Silas turns to hide his laughter, and Aziel snorts before giving in with a curt nod.

“Yes, Gray, I want you the most,” he agrees.

We all know Aziel doesn’t mean it, but Gray enjoys hearing it nonetheless. Gray once privately pulled me aside before everything went to shit and made me tell him I love him more than Silas, and I’m confident he’s done the same thing with Silas, too.

I think it’s an incubus thing.

Aziel gives Gray one last kiss before returning to me.

He buries his fingers into my waist as he transports me to the facility, the transition smooth and quick. I hold on to his forearm as the room around me materializes. Aziel brought us to the reception area, the place resembling one of those corporate buildings in all the old human movies Gray and I have been watching.

There’s a large reception desk built into the wall to the left, and to the right is a lobby with surprisingly comfortable-looking sitting chairs. Very fancy.

The shifters aren’t set to arrive for another thirty minutes, but ten Wraths are already waiting in the lobby area. Three are top scientists who worked on the study that led to the female findings, five are employees who used to work in the facility before it was closed, and two are Aziel’s war generals. The giant, stern-faced men are impossible to miss, and I shrink into Aziel’s side before deciding better of it and stepping away.

Their scent doesn’t affect me now that I’m bonded with Aziel, but their imposing figures sure do.

I told Aziel I thought it would be beneficial to have a rehabilitated female here who could discuss her experience, but it seems none of them were comfortable doing so. They don’t care to relive their trauma, nor are they interested in being in a room full of shifter leaders.

Aziel admitted that most Wrath females don’t leave the Wrath kingdom. They’re fearful of what would happen if they venture too far away, and I remember what Shay told me the ogres did to her when she tried visiting their realm.

It makes me sad, and it explains how Aziel’s actions could go undetected for so long. The only people who know about their treatment of females and see the sheer number of young, newborn girls are those who have access to enter Wrath.

That number is low.

I clear my throat and step forward.

I’ve been working hard to stand my ground, even when surrounded by a group of men I’m uncomfortable with. The Wraths are intimidating, especially the war generals, but I know Aziel won’t let anybody hurt me.

The Wraths don’t bother hiding their contempt as they look me over.

I doubt I’m what they wanted in a queen. I clench my hands into tight fists by my sides.Shit.I’m a queen.

Silas and Gray show up a second later, and Gray quickly breaks apart from Silas with a scowl. He doesn’t like people knowing that Silas and Aziel teleport him places.

“Sir.” One of the facility employees steps forward and gives a slight bow in Aziel’s direction. “It’s an honor to have you here. Would you like a tour before the shifters arrive?”

He doesn’t look directly into Aziel’s eyes, instead staring at his chest.

“Yes. Has the place been cleaned?” Aziel asks, his voice taking on a tone I’m unfamiliar with.

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